Sakuma cruises to 4-shot Japan Classic victory for first LPGA Tour title

OMITAMA, Japan -- Shuri Sakuma won her first LPGA Tour title, taking the Toto Japan Classic on Sunday with a closing round of 8-under 64 for a four-stroke victory over fellow Japanese Aki Iwai. Sakuma has won eight times previously on the LPGA of Japan Tour. She finished with a 72-hole total of 20-under 268. The victory makes her eligible to join the LPGA Tour, and she picked up $315,000 with the win. Iwai, who had a one-stroke lead after the third round, slipped to a 71 for a four-day total of 272. Erika Hara of Japan was third, five shots off the lead, and finished with a 70 at the Taiheiyo Club north of Tokyo. Arpichaya Yubol of Thailand and Yuna Araki of Japan tied for fourth, both six shots off the lead. Yubol closed with an even-par 72 and Araki shot a 70. Defending champion Nasa Hataoka finished with a 71 and tied for sixth with three other players, all seven shots behind the winner. Hataoka was the leader after two rounds and won the event last year in a playoff in a rain-shortened tournament. The Toto Japan Classic is the last of four tournaments on the LPGA's so-called late-season Asian swing.